Gandhi What...Gandhi Who? Kind of like Jigga for Jay-Z, but not quite!

Yo, yo, yo people, this is your boy Angelo again from OUA giving you the low down on what’s up so that the side to side of the low down can get you up and excited with what’s down at Vanderbilt so that you know what’s good!! Now, if you can understand what the heck I was trying to say there, then you deserve free tuition to Vanderbilt because I’m struggling to understand that myself. Your analytical reasoning skills must be off the charts! Well, for those of you, including myself, who didn’t understand a word of what I was trying to say the first time, let me put my initial statement into a non-secular version for you. “Jolly ho and good day dear prospective, this is the Vanderbilt representative Angelo back again to offer serendipitous insight into Vanderbilt’s unknown cultural capital so that you may contextualize the offerings of our fair campus.” Umm yeah, I think that I prefer the first way too. LOL!

So, if you’re reading this third entry of my blog, then you are at least a bit intrigued of the campus culture that is Vanderbilt. So in keeping with tradition, a three blog tradition at this point I might add, I will enlighten you oh inquisitive one with more cultural offerings that can be found at Vanderbilt. Therefore, this entry should surely peak your interest! If you did not know, Vanderbilt is celebrating Gandhi Week this week to commemorate the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. Now I know that some of you are probably like, “Gandhi What…Gandhi Who?” You know, it’s kind of like Jigga for Jay-Z but not quite (that’s a rap song by the way for those of you who officially think that I’ve lost it). But if you don’t know, Gandhi was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement. He has been called the pioneer of Satyagraha, a resistance movement grounded in non-violence, which led to the independence of India. He is called the “Father of the Nation” and is celebrated on his birthday each year on October 2nd worldwide (thanks Wikipedia for the history lesson). Random fact about Gandhi, but he actually was a lawyer that received his formal training in Britian. Who knew?

Now according to the VU Gandhi Week organizers, students at Vanderbilt will join other college campuses and cities, in a nationwide event that is known as “Be The Change”, to serve communities and engage in dialogue. The event draws individuals who are attracted to the values espoused by Gandhi and other leaders who devoted their lives to public service and engagement in their communities. The guest speaker for Gandhi Week this year will be Jenan Mohajir. Jenan is the Education Outreach Associate for the Interfaith Youth Core, an organization that strives to build mutual respect and pluralism among youth from different religious traditions. "The Legacy of Our Faith Heroes" is the topic of her speech for Gandhi Week. It will cover the stories of famous faith heroes, such as Gandhi, and how their lessons can be applied to building a religiously tolerant society. Additionally, there will be a panel discussion regarding 'Gandhian Philosophies and its relevance in the 21st Century,' which will include numerous speakers including Civil Rights activist and Vanderbilt alumnus Rev. James Lawson. Ghandi Week is in large part sponsored by the student group Masala-SACE (South Asian Cultural Exchange), however other campus sponsors include Project Dialogue, The Vanderbilt Divinity School, and the Office of Religious Life just to name a few. To find out more information about Gandhi Week or programming sponsored by Masala-SACE, check out their website at (http://studentorgs.vanderbilt.edu/sace/).

Alllllrighty then (that's from ACE Ventura Pet Detective...do you remember that or am I getting old?) , I’m out until next time, but be safe and choose your colleges wisely!!

PS> Is anybody else excited that the Vanderbilt Football team is 3-1 after their win this weekend over Eastern Michigan 30-7…GO DORES!!